Jesus has only begun His ministry.
Acts 1:1-2
- Background: Originally this book had no title, but since the middle of the second century, it has been known as The Acts of the Apostles -- probably because the apostles are mentioned in verse 2 and named in verse 13. The book actually describes the acts of Jesus by the Holy Spirit through His followers.
- The Author: Luke was a single Syrian physician from Antioch who accompanied Paul until his martyrdom and died himself at age 84. Luke probably wrote Acts about A.D. 62-64, toward the end of Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, where the book abruptly ends.
- The Purpose: To help a man named Theophilus and others see the truth about what Jesus did and taught and how the church spread throughout the Roman world (Luke 1:3-4; Acts 1:8). Theophilus was probably a Roman official because of the title "most excellent" which Luke uses only for Roman officials and governors (see Acts 23:26; 26:25).
Insights to better understand the book of Acts
- The book of Acts picks up where Luke leaves off - Acts 1:2; Luke 24:50
- Acts is a transitional book, showing how the worship of God moved from the Jewish temple to the acceptance of Gentiles that believe in the Jewish Messiah and finally to a predominately Gentile church spread throughout the Roman Empire.
- The main message centers on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Acts 1:3; 26:7-8
Major Themes
- The sovereignty of God in the founding of His church and the spread of the gospel
- The power of the Holy Spirit given to all who believe in Jesus Christ
- The importance of prayer in the life of the church
- The importance of communicating God’s Word
- The importance of mission to all peoples
- The reality of opposition and suffering in the spread of the gospel
- The life and organization of the church – God’s new community of followers
Outline: Acts 1:8
- The witness in Jerusalem—primarily to Jews - Chapters 1-8
- The witness in Judea and Samaria—including the first Gentiles - Chapters 8 -11
- The witness to the remotest parts of the earth—primarily to Gentiles - Chapters 11- 28
Jesus has only begun His ministry.
Question
Are you a follower that Jesus is continuing His work through?
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